Massilia

, a maritime town of Gaul Narbonensis, now called Marseilles , founded B.C. 539, by the people of Phocæa, in Asia, who quitted their country to avoid the tyranny of the Persians. It is celebrated for its laws, its fidelity for the Romans, and for its being long the seat of literature. It acquired great consequence by its commercial pursuits during its infancy, and even waged war against Carthage. By becoming the ally of Rome, its power was established; but in warmly espousing the cause of Pompey against Cæsar, its views were frustrated, and it was so much reduced by the insolence and resentment of the conqueror, that it never after recovered its independence and warlike spirit. Hero dot us , bk. 1 , ch. 164 .— Pliny , bk. 3 , ch. 4 .— Justin , bk. 37 , . — Strabo , bk. 1 .— Livy , bk. 5 , ch. 3 .— Horace , epode 16.— Florus , bk. 4 , ch. 2 .— Cicero , For Flaccus , ch. 26 ; De Officiis , bk. 2 , ♦ ch. 28 .— Tacitus , Annals , bk. 4 , ch. 44 ; Agricola , ch. 4 . ♦ ‘8’ replaced with ‘28’